Core Insights - Meta Business Suite and Meta Ads Manager have been recognized as top social media marketing tools for 2025, highlighting their effectiveness in content management, customer engagement, and advertising performance [1][3][4] Digital Marketing Growth - The global digital advertising market is expanding, with social media being a significant driver, leading businesses to seek reliable tools for managing accounts and maximizing ad performance [4][5] - Businesses are increasingly allocating higher budgets to digital advertising, prioritizing platforms that offer automation, analytics, and multi-channel support [5] Features of Meta Business Suite - Meta Business Suite allows businesses to manage interactions across Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram from a single platform, improving response times and customer engagement [6] - Recent updates have introduced enhanced automation features and collaboration tools, optimizing posting schedules and supporting team workflows [7] - The suite now offers deeper integration with e-commerce solutions, facilitating direct sales from social media platforms [8] Features of Ads Manager - Ads Manager provides advanced targeting capabilities, allowing advertisers to define audience segments based on demographics and interests, along with A/B testing functionality for refining ad creatives [9] - The platform has expanded its machine learning capabilities, improving automated ad placements and budget allocation, while offering real-time performance analytics [10] Industry Trends - Data-driven marketing is essential as brands compete for consumer attention, with integrated social media management tools leading to higher engagement rates [11] - Emerging trends in AI, predictive analytics, and automation are shaping the digital marketing landscape, aligning with Meta's technologies [12][14] Business Adoption and User Experience - Businesses of all sizes benefit from the user-friendly interfaces of Meta Business Suite and Ads Manager, which simplify content scheduling and maximize ROI [15] - Organizations report improvements in operational efficiency and ad campaign performance due to the integration of AI and automation features [16] Future Outlook - Social media marketing tools will remain essential as digital advertising evolves, with a growing need for unified platforms that consolidate content management and advertising analytics [19][20] - The shift toward automation and AI-enabled marketing is expected to define the next phase of digital advertising, positioning businesses that utilize advanced tools competitively [21]

NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xcel Brands (NASDAQ: XELB), an industry leading media and consumer products company specializing in building influencer-driven brands through social commerce and livestreaming, is proud to announce an exciting partnership with Latina home and lifestyle creator Jenny Martinez. Jenny is a national best selling cookbook author and creator of Happy Bellies by Jenny. Together, they will launch a food and kitchenware brand designed to bring tradition and taste to every ...

Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms has the potential to surpass Alphabet in market capitalization within the next decade due to its stronger growth trajectory and fewer long-term challenges [5][12]. Group 1: Alphabet's Performance and Challenges - Alphabet's revenue grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% from 2014 to 2024, with earnings per share (EPS) increasing at a CAGR of 23% [2]. - Analysts project Alphabet's revenue and EPS growth to slow to 11% and 13%, respectively, from 2024 to 2027 [2]. - The company faces significant competition from new generative AI platforms and social media, which are eroding its core search engine and advertising business [3]. - Alphabet is under pressure from antitrust regulators, with the U.S. Department of Justice seeking to divest Chrome and restrict service promotions on Android [4]. - If Alphabet fails to address these challenges, it risks becoming a slower-growth company similar to IBM [5]. Group 2: Meta's Growth and Market Position - Meta's revenue and EPS increased at a CAGR of 29% and 36%, respectively, from 2014 to 2024, outpacing Alphabet due to its dominance in social media [7]. - Meta's user base reached 3.35 billion daily active users by the end of 2024, representing 40% of the global population [6]. - From 2024 to 2027, Meta's revenue and EPS are expected to grow at a CAGR of 13% and 11%, respectively, with fewer immediate challenges compared to Alphabet [8]. - Meta is actively countering competition from TikTok and expanding into social commerce and virtual/augmented reality markets [8]. Group 3: Market Capitalization Projections - Current earnings multiples show Meta trading at 21x and Alphabet at 18x this year's earnings [9]. - If both companies grow their EPS at a CAGR of 10% from 2027 to 2035, Meta could reach a market cap of $3.63 trillion, while Alphabet could reach $6.20 trillion [10]. - If Meta accelerates its EPS growth to 15% through 2035, its market cap could rise to $6.47 trillion, potentially surpassing Alphabet [11].

Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms (META) has experienced a significant decline in share price, dropping 13.7% over the past month, which is worse than the declines seen in the broader Zacks Internet Software industry and the Zacks Computer & Technology sector [1][2]. Economic Impact - The decline in META's stock can be linked to challenging macroeconomic conditions, particularly the tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on trade partners, which are expected to negatively affect technology stocks, including META [2][3]. - Higher tariffs are anticipated to impact the digital advertising sector, where Meta, along with Alphabet and Amazon, is projected to capture about 50% of global ad spending by 2028 [2]. Revenue Dependency - Meta generates over 90% of its revenue from advertising, making it particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of tariffs and a potential trade war [3]. - In contrast, Alphabet and Amazon have a lower dependency on advertising due to their cloud computing services, which may provide them with a buffer against the negative impacts of tariffs [3]. Stock Performance - Since the announcement of tariffs on April 2, META shares have fallen by 14%, underperforming Alphabet and Amazon [4]. AI and User Engagement - Meta is leveraging AI to enhance user engagement, with over 3.35 billion daily users and more than 700 million monthly active AI users [8]. - The company is implementing updates to improve AI responses, which is expected to boost user engagement further [8]. Content Monitoring Changes - META's decision to relax content monitoring through the Community Notes program aims to promote free speech and enhance user engagement across its platforms [9]. Advertising Technology - The proprietary machine learning system, Andromeda, powered by NVIDIA, has improved ad quality and retrieval performance, achieving over 6% recall improvement and more than 8% ad quality improvement in selected segments [10]. Social Commerce Initiatives - META is focusing on social commerce through initiatives like Meta Verified, which offers subscription plans to enhance business credibility on its platforms [11]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for META's first-quarter 2025 earnings is $5.22 per share, reflecting a 1.8% decrease over the past 30 days but indicating a year-over-year increase of 10.83% [12]. Valuation Metrics - META's stock is currently trading at a forward Price/Sales ratio of 7.9X, which is higher than its median of 7.83X and the broader sector's 5.81X, suggesting a stretched valuation [13]. Future Outlook - Despite the challenges, META's focus on AI is making it attractive to advertisers. However, the first-quarter 2025 results may be impacted by unfavorable foreign exchange rates and high operating expenses projected between $114 billion and $119 billion [17]. - META is expected to invest heavily in AI infrastructure, with capital expenditures projected between $60 billion and $65 billion for 2025 [18]. - The stock is currently trading below its 50-day moving average, indicating a bearish trend [18].

Core Insights - Verb Technology Company, Inc. has acquired Lyvecom, Inc. for a total consideration of $3,000,000 in cash, repayment of $1,125,000 in S.A.F.E. instruments, $100,000 for an existing loan, and 184,812 restricted shares valued at $1,000,000 [1][2] - The acquisition aims to enhance the MARKET.live platform's capabilities in social commerce, particularly in livestream shopping, amidst a projected growth in the global online video platforms market, expected to reach approximately $117.35 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 25.20% from 2025 to 2034 [2][13] Acquisition Details - The acquisition closed on April 11, 2025, and includes an earn-out provision of up to an additional $3,000,000 based on performance metrics over a 24-month period [1] - The integration of Lyvecom's technology is expected to provide brands with a true omnichannel livestream shopping experience across various platforms [3][4] Market Positioning - The acquisition positions Verb to capitalize on the growing demand for livestreaming and shoppable video content, addressing consumer concerns about data privacy and brand control [5][6] - Brands will gain full control over their audience, content, and conversions, allowing for a more direct relationship with consumers [4][5] Consumer and Brand Benefits - The new capabilities will enable brands to recreate social commerce experiences on their own websites and apps, enhancing direct communication and brand loyalty [6] - MARKET.live will provide access to Lyvecom's merchant playbooks, helping brands navigate social algorithms and optimize livestreams [7][8] Future Growth Potential - The integration of AI-powered video commerce is expected to redefine consumer engagement and shopping experiences, allowing brands to meet customers on their preferred platforms [9] - Verb's CEO emphasizes the importance of "owning the audience" for e-commerce success, highlighting the strategic advantage of the acquisition [9]

Industry Overview - The Internet-Commerce sector has experienced significant growth since the pandemic, particularly among Gen-Z consumers who are accustomed to high levels of digitization [1] - The evolution of Internet-Commerce is driven by advancements in user devices and AI-enabled software platforms that enhance transaction capabilities and user satisfaction [2] - E-commerce differentiation is achieved through improved technology for showcasing products, easier navigation, payment options, faster delivery, and enhanced brand loyalty [4] Investment Opportunities - It is advisable to invest in Internet-Commerce stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank, including Carvana Co. (CVNA), eBay Inc. (EBAY), Tripadvisor Inc. (TRIP), Chewy Inc. (CHWY), and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA) [3][6] - The subscription model for repeat-use items is gaining traction, making it easier for consumers to order and for retailers to manage inventory, with discounts often offered to consumers [5] Company Highlights - **Carvana Co. (CVNA)**: Acquired ADESA's U.S. operations, enhancing logistics and auction capabilities. Expected revenue growth of 23.6% and earnings growth of over 100% for the current year [10][12][11] - **eBay Inc. (EBAY)**: Growth driven by Focus Categories and advertising offerings, with expected revenue growth of 1.7% and earnings growth of 8.4% for the current year [13][14] - **Tripadvisor Inc. (TRIP)**: Benefiting from strong performance in Viator and TheFork segments, with expected revenue growth of 4% and earnings growth of 7.7% for the current year [15][16] - **Chewy Inc. (CHWY)**: Focused on e-commerce for pet products, with expected revenue growth of 4.5% and earnings growth of 18.3% for the current year [17][18] - **Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA)**: Performance boosted by monetization of Taobao and Tmall, with expected revenue growth of 4.5% and earnings growth of 24.4% for the current year [19][21][20]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2024, the company generated total revenue of $895,000, an increase of $832,000 compared to 2023, representing a growth of 1,321% [18] - In Q4 2024, revenue reached $723,000, an increase of $694,000 year-over-year, indicating a growth of almost 2,400% [19] - Quarter-over-quarter, Q4 revenue increased by $595,000, representing growth of almost 465% compared to Q3 2024 [19] - The company reported a positive shareholder equity of over $16 million as of December 2024, up from almost $2 million negative in June 2023 [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company transitioned from a direct sales SaaS model to a focus on interactive social video commerce, leading to significant revenue growth [10][15] - The launch of the GO FUND YOURSELF crowdfunding platform generated $233,000 in revenue in Q4, up from $25,000 in Q3 [15] - The MARKET.live platform showed exponential revenue growth, with Q4 revenue of $490,000 compared to $103,000 in Q3 [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is entering the telehealth market with products like VANITY Prescribed and GoodGirlRX, anticipating significant growth due to the adoption of new weight-loss drugs [16] - The overall market conditions for small and micro-cap companies have been challenging, impacting previous business strategies [5][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has implemented a multi-pronged strategy to restructure and diversify its revenue streams, focusing on complementary business units [14] - A significant part of the strategy includes the acquisition of LyveCom to enhance AI capabilities and reduce operational costs by approximately $1 million per year [21][22] - The company aims to position itself as a leader in the social commerce space, leveraging its technology to provide solutions for brands [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's future, expecting Q1 2025 revenue to surpass Q4 2024 [19] - The CEO highlighted the importance of adapting to market conditions and the need for a robust AI strategy to remain competitive [20] Other Important Information - The company has successfully eliminated debt and has a cash position of over $13 million, providing a strong financial foundation for future growth [23][24] - The reverse stock split has resulted in a tight share float of less than 1 million shares, enhancing shareholder value [13] Q&A Session Summary - No specific questions or answers were recorded in the provided content, indicating the conclusion of the teleconference [26]